Silver Sidelines

Thanks Chris, I keep an eye on your site, lots of tempting items. Last time I was searching for a top feed for an Earl to convert Bachmann's model to 9004. In the event I opted to renumber to something else. Regards Ray

Thanls Alun - your comments made me smile. It is certainly a different 'take' on the subject. However open cabs as used by the GWR really do need to be populated. Regards Ray

We will need a production line! Might even need a 3D printer. Regatds Ray

Cheers Mikkel, I think I have laid all the track that can be sensibly laid. I think the next 'project' will be to finish more of the scenery. My wife is still bothered about all the driverless engines and keeps referring to your work with model figures. So lots of options. Regards Ray

Thanks Alun, shall do. Regards Ray

Thanks Shaun, with care and good fortune. I shall tell more in the next installment. Regards Ray

The past couple of years have seen a number of exciting modifications to the railway that have so far passed unrecorded. I was first alerted to the misuse of the initials GWR by George Behrend (Ref 1) in his 1966 book Gone With Regret. In his recollections of the Great Western Railway he extols the virtues of God’s Wonderful Railway and notes that opponents of GW methods would dismiss the company as the Great Way Round. (Something about Brunel’s original route to Bath and Bristol via Didcot and Swindon not being convenient for reaching Plymouth or Penzance.) In the 1950s the Reverend Awdry’s railway books were almost compulsory reading for children, well probably just boys. However there was another model railway cleric, the Scottish Presbyterian Minister the Reverend Edward Beal (Ref 2 ). He wrote and published a series of modelling guides later to be bound as a compendium and published as ‘West Midland, a Railway in Miniature / aka the ‘00’ Gauge Layout of a Lifetime.’ Over a period of 20 or more years Edward Beal constructed a number of model railways culminating in a massive model railway that escaped through the walls of its original room into an adjacent garage. West Midland Layout Plan The concepts behind Edward Beal’s layout design have stayed with me all these years and have encouraged me now to test the boundaries of my own layout. I have a long branch line with passing loops (probably ex GWR) culminating at a ‘high level’ terminus. The terminus finished up against a plasterboard enclosure housing the twin wall flue from an oil fired Aga. Fifteen years later the Aga has been converted to electricity and the flue is in effect redundant. I would tunnel through the enclosure and create a loop line back to the start - my own Great Way Round. I do like watching trains go by. Longsheds Layout Plan as Projected Exiting the tunnel the line would have to be carried over the existing storage sidings. Conveniently these had been arranged in pairs with a larger gap between the separate pairs. Conveniently because there was space to insert supports for the new track above. The line could then be looped down on the inside of the existing return loop. The original loop was nominally six feet diameter. Reducing the inner loop below six feet was a compromise that I thought worth accepting. I have titled the plan above ‘as Projected’ because during construction as the track climbed up I was able to move the track bed over the old loop below giving a small increase in radius. Initially I connected the new and old trackwork with a single point. This required a degree of ‘wrong line’ working and it was not long before I arranged the slightly more complicated arrangement shown above with three points giving access from both up and down lines. Construction of my Great Way Round took place in early 2022. A lot else has since happened. However to give some idea of the potential of the new track layout there is a video made back in 2022 immediately after construction. The video was made using a Camtruck pushed by a Bachmann sound fitted Earl running on analogue. As a reminder I have included some historical pictures from before the works. The Buffer Stop back in 2008 The Buffer Stops in 2011 The Buffer Stop 2022 immediately prior to the works The Plaster Board enclosure The single point connection I plan to detail the construction in further posts. For the present here is a short up to the minute video clip of the Great Way Round in use. References 1 Gone With Regret,(George Behrend) Second Edition 1966, Distributed by Neville Spearman for Jersey Artists 2 West Midland, a Railway in Miniature’ (Edward Beal) 1952, Percival Marshall

For a change a black one! I am too young to remember the green livery. I have put together some clips of my BR lined black model. I had to interrupt a GWR running session so there are rather a number of non prototypical inclusions. A nice model that runs very quietly. Cheers Ray

Thanks Alun, if this damp weather continues I might have to write about the Great Way Round. Regards Ray

The summer weather has disappeared so an incentive to spend time on railway matters. This Post was initiated by the purchase of a Dapol Fruit D van. One of Mr Dapol’s Fruit D vans Over the last twelve months I have been imagining a Welsh themed layout. What better for inspiration but to follow Katerfelto’s pictures on Flickr https://flic.kr/ps/SokUv. I was fascinated by one particular picture which featured an ex GWR Fruit D in the process of being shunted between passenger trains. Machynlleth by Katerfelto Apparently a major source of the old GWR's parcels traffic was market garden produce. Small growers would take their fresh produce and load it into a van at the local station. The vans would then be moved speedily to market at the larger towns and cities. To cater for the fresh produce the GWR provided vans with additional ventilation slats in their sides to allow cool air to circulate. The vans could be attached to passenger trains. The GWR used the telegraphic code ‘Fruit’ for these vans. The ‘D’ suffix referred to in this Post indicates that the wagon was one of the 28ft 6ins designs, being the last and largest fruit vans built by the GWR. As built they were fitted with gas lighting and with removable galvanised wire trays to carry the fruit boxes. A final batch of vans was constructed in the 1950s under British Railways. These later vans were fitted with electric lighting. The vans were vacuum braked with through steam pipes enabling them to be marshalled in front of passenger coaches – hence the designation ‘Passenger’ painted on the side of the vans beneath the designation Fruit D. I read the words ‘Market Garden’! My Grandfather owned a Market Garden. As a youngster I spent time picking peas, beans and much else. Growing tomatoes, soft fruit, vegetables and cut flowers in the 1950s and 60s involved long hours and hard work. I think I can understand the worry and effort that would have gone into sending produce to market. My Grandfather did not take his produce to market. Instead he combined his market gardening with the collection and delivery of eggs from farm to packing station and then to shops and canteens which provided an opportunity to sell his own produce. I have an old print of him with his ‘new to him’ Austin K8 Three-Way van. “Three-Way” – because it had rear doors, side doors and access inside from the cab. 1954.08Van No.2 Austin K8 Three-Way 25cwt van So far so good. I would buy one (or two) of Mr Dapol’s Fruit D vans. My stations don’t have names but from the Main Station there is a single track branch which goes via a ‘Halt’ and a ‘Junction’ to what used to be the Branch Terminus which has a Bay Platform – ideal for parking and loading a Fruit D. Awaiting fresh produce The Branch is served by a couple of B Sets hauled by a variety of small engines; Earls, 43xx, and Ivatts. The Main Station has a couple of long bay platforms which would be ideal for unloading and storing the Fruit Ds. Unloaded and awaiting their next turn However there was an issue! The layout is around 15 years old and wood dries and moves. Whilst the Main Station looks level the framing has obviously sagged between the supporting legs resulting in a gradient at the end of the platform sidings. What to do? Re-engineering the timber support framework was not thought practical. What about a mechanism to stop the wagons rolling down and away from the buffer stops? Could I couple the trucks to the buffer stops? I have a variety of spare couplings, some screw on and some for NMRA sockets. Perhaps I could glue a coupling to the buffer stop? I then remembered that I had replaced some bogies on my Bachmann Mk1s. The Bachmann bogies (39-005A) are distributed so that they can be used with or without a close coupling mechanism. I already had the close coupling mechanism and I didn’t need the cranked bracket and coupling that came with the bogies. As luck would have it the bracket was a perfect height to slot into the platform behind the buffer stops (modified Peco). Bachmann B1 BR Mk1 bogies (39-005A) showing surplus bracket and coupling My platforms are constructed with a base of ½ inch MDF and a balsa wood top. I was able to use a small screw driver to form the necessary slot in the balsa wood with no disturbance to the rest of the structure. Brilliant! Forming a slot The bracket and coupling are a push fit Buffer stop back in place Arrival and Departure What should have been a very quick operation was unfortunately prolonged. I was using the vacuum cleaner to remove the balsa wood shavings and inadvertently sucked up one of the fire buckets from the station building. I was then delayed by a good half hour whilst I rummaged through the cleaner bag and recovered the wayward bucket. Fire buckets – back from their holidays.

Thankfuly no, there was a stray piece of black plastic which wiped off. I doubt the model had been dropped. I have updated the detail picture. The picture at the top of the Post had already had the fragment removed so didn't need changing. Thanks Ray

Having seen sister engine 26501 at work in the 1960s not many miles from my daughter's current house, with the encouragement of a discount this was a must have purchase. How it is to be integrated into the layout is a question for another day. A stunning model Looking at the 'stock' pictures and the condition of my model as received there seems to me to be an issue with the packaging. All three lamp irons at one end were damaged, some worse than others. With some carefull manipulation followed by the addition of some super glue for strength and home mixed paint I have had a good outcome. Otherwise I think a very well made model, thank you Rails of Sheffield, Heljan and Locomotion. Bent out of the box Straightened and painted I am surprised that the lamp irons are painted green but I am guessing that someone somwhere has a reason and thought it a good idea.

Well done Halvarras - definitely a labour of love. I see you are not going to be taking orders. I wonder what the next challenge is going to be? Regards Ray

Well done, I have never had the courage (to send back). Now I am guessing that you are talking about the latest 'piano' type controller as I seem to think that these are more prone to 'hum' than the earlier boxy type. I have had a number of Gaugemaster DS units some more noisy than others. I believe these units have a lifetime guarentee which I have had to use on one occasion when something must have come unsoldered. However the repaired unit was posted back with a very noticeable scratch to the top of the casing - it was not a happy experience. That hum - sometimes it seems to be amplified when the side casing is in partial contact with the folded top (with the knobs on). I have successfully reduced the volume by fiddling with the folded top and making sure that it is not resting on the shaped yellow sides. Good luck Ray

Cheers Patrick - certainly an inspiration. I would not have used wheel pullers but would have prised the wheels apart probably using a big screw driver bit between the backs of the wheels. The plastic gear being already cracked could be sacrificed. Keeping on posting. Regards Ray

Wow - what a task. When I fitted the Ultrascale brass gears the Mainline wheel sets easily pulled apart with no damage. That might well have been because there is an insulating bush on one side. Certainly the model in my video was running very well after having the Ultrascale gears fitted (and the wheel sets pulled apart). Cheers Ray

Whilst searching for pictures of Highflyer and Intrepid I came across a video I made prior to selling. Both Mainline Warships were fitted with Ultrascale brass drive gears and extra weight. They made a very characteristic wirring sound. I wonder here they are now? One went ot the States. Mainline Warship and Bachmann 9F by Longsheds, on Flickr Regards Ray

I too did a little bit of research since my last post and captured roof images of Highflyer and Intrepid from an auction site. They would confirm your comments. They appear the same. I don't know where I got my idea from. Well done with all modifications. Highflyer above, Intrepid below

Yes Mazac rot! D800 Sir Brian is one of the models that suffers. Some time ago I bought a model of Sir Brian which was advertised as having been repaired by Bachmann. Sadly the seller didn't pack the parcel very well and on arrival one of the bogie towers was damaged. I had another Sir Brian on hand with an apparently complete bogie tower which I would fit. Move on to the begining of this year when I thought it was time to bring Sir Brian out of storage. Sadly it kept turning left at various points and crossovers. On inspection it was apparent that the bogie casting had warped and on dismantling it was even more obvious that the pins holding the two parts of the tower together had disintegrated. Interestingly Bachmann are still selling replacement bogies and a search of the Internet will show other suppliers. I have a soft spot for Sir Brian but he still needs some proper etched plates. Not long ago I did buy a set off eBay but it was immediately obvious that they were the wrong dimensions. They didn't cover the Bachmann printed plates and the spacing of the lettering didn't match pictures of the prototype. D800 Sir Brian Robertson - Bachmann 32-055 Warped - turn left!! Spot the broken pins and the crazed casting. D800 Sir Brian Robertson back in service

An update! Some pictues comparing a very early Bachmann Class 42 and a much later (2015) Class 43. I think that how you feel about them all depends on the viewing distance. First D816 Eclipse a Bachmann Class 42 from the past. Second D841 Roebuck Class 43 from 2015 Lastly a comparison showing the two roof details.

I parted with my Mainline models some years ago so I cannot check but I have it in my mind that 'Highflyer' and 'Intrepid' had different roofs to each other. It sticks in my mind because I marvelled at the time that Mainline would go to the trouble of making two different bodyshells. Cheers Ray

Enjoy the weather and hope the travelling is not too fraught (rather you than me).. I do believe there are siill some new D6xx to be had - but only a few. Coincidently I have just touched on the running characteristics of the Class 43s with Aliun on Flickr. The Class 43 seem to lack the freem movement / momentum of the earlier Class 42s. Regards Ray

A great Post. I too have been playing with an elderly Bachmann 42 which when fitted with etched plates compares very favourably with Kernow's D6xx models.

Hello Mick, if you have the time you might try revisitng the blog. I have attempted to give it a makeover and from my side it seems to be working much better. https://longsheds.blogspot.com/2019/10/no-152-remotoring-Hornby-q6.html Regards Ray

Thanks Phil for the advice. The web was set up as a glorious place where people could freely exchange information - a bit like RMweb used to be. Facebook and YouTube still appears to be 'free' and I do believe that if you set it correctly you YouTube even pays per view. 'Blogger' also appears to be 'free' whilst Flickr comes at a cost. I guess it comes down to how much you value a web site. Regards Ray